The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-31
II. G. DUN CO.'S BUSINESS REVIEW.
Foreign Commerce Unsatisfactory and Do
mestic Trade Very Dull.

Foreign Commerce Unsatisfactory and Do
nestle Trade Very Dull.
NEW YORK, July 29.-R g. Dun & Co., in
their weekly review of trade, say: Foreign
commerce is still unsatisfactory, while in domes
tic trade the usual summer dullness is increased
by a variety of causes. Large bank clsarances
and railroad earnings fail to reflect the present
state of business, which is in many branches
characterized by uncertainty and hesitation.
Clearinas represent, first speculative dealings;
second. settlements on business done from one
TO four months ago; third, current cash transac
tions that activity in speculation or large
payments on past business often swell clearings
when new legitimate business is decreasing
in volume. Railroad earnings, since The
interstate law affected rates, afford no
liable indication of the volume of
traffic. and publication of tonnage statistics has
been to a large extent suspended, which is sig
nifcant. Low prices delay movement of wheat.
and injury to corn. hay and some minor crops
produces uncertainty. Meanwhile foreign i'm
ports New York continue larger than last
been per cent. smaller. and official reports show
an increase Of 81. 000. 600 for June in all imports
against decrease of nearly 49, DOC, 900 in all
ports. For three months, ending with June, the
excess OF merchandise imports was $44, 1873. 1872
Wheat, corn, oats, oil. beef and hogs are lower
than a week ago Red winter wheat sells at 794
ord, compared with 76 to 7S4 cents in No
vember and December, 1884, but with that
exception no lower price has been recorded in
any month for si4ty-two years. Corn al 40 cents
at New York, and oats at 81 cents and beef at
average of 81. 30. do not encourage farmers to
buy largely of the products of other indus
tries.
Speculation in cotton halts, since syndi-
cate failures. but prices weakened again
to-day. and coffee yields shade.
dealers meeting a light and uncertain
dstrlbutive demand. Sugar rises little with
the publication of bullish statistics spice dealers
complain that consumers do not come to time
and the handlers of rice not overworked.
Oil fell to safe, but has recovered little. Coal
agents announce advance of 10c for Aug.
l. and that trade is supported by an increasing
demand. Cotton goods meet an unusually good
demand and prices are stiff In wollens, the
orders scarcely suffice to open the market
except in cheviots. which move at prices not
higher than last year. In dress goods, fair
trade is noted.
Interior reports nearly all note existing dull
ness, with hopes of large trade hereafter. Money
is in only fair demand. with no noteworthy
change In rates. and collections fair, with i'm
provement at one or two points. The specula-
ton in tobacco begins to advance prices and the
rubber com Animation of the coke strike sets most
of the iron furnaces at work. and yet it is OBJ
served that actual consumption Of pig-iron was
smaller for the first half of 1887 than for the last
half of 1886.
Stocks have been depressed with signs of
weakness on the part of holders. The treasury
took in $l2, O00 900 more than il paid out during
the past week. but money is easy at per cent
and foreign exchange unaltered. The recent de-
cisions of the interstate commission have
cleared up the more embarrassing
questions regarding rates competi-
tive freight, and charges of rate
cutting on trunk lines indicate want of
agreement construction of the law, with some
disa ppoiutmnnt to the volume of traffic. The
outlook is affected in some districts by injury to
Gro pa from drought or storms. but all Southern
reports continue especially favorable as to cot
ton. Less is heard of real estate speculation at
the West and South but at several points, as at
Omaha, it is noticed that heavy building opera
tiops are in progress. The transfer of floating
into fixed capital has not yet ceased. Business
failures during the last seven days number. for
the United States. 162: for Canada, o. total,
1854; compared with liz last week, and 1872 for
the corresponding week of last year.